BMW 320I Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 151 consumer complaints across the 6 model years of the BMW 320I (2013–2018) that have at least 5 complaints. 2014 has the most, with 53. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (40 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 320I model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 21 | 13,615 | 0 | 94 | — | Rising |
| 2017 | 9 | 90,500 | 0 | 276 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 25 | 57,500 | 0 | 353 | 38 · Typical | Rising |
| 2015 | 34 | 56,200 | 3 | 421 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2014 | 53 | 63,967 | 7 | 486 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 9 | 84,500 | 3 | 530 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine40 22%
- Fuel system28 15%
- Other or unknown24 13%
- Electrical system24 13%
- Air bags19 10%
- Transmission and drivetrain18 9.9%
- Brakes16 8.8%
- Body and structure13 7.1%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2014: “I was involved in an accident on 9/9/20, where my car crashed in to side wall of interstate. Driverside had impact with wall. Curtain airbags deployed successfully. Driver seat airbag came out with blast. They ignited fire and my shirt(dry-fit polo ) burned. I was injured with burn marks on my abdomen. Each burn mark corresponds to whole in aid bag.”
NHTSA complaint #11354118, filed 2020-09, 90,000 miles2016: “I was involved in an accident with a hit and run vehicle and resulting in the accident, my steering wheel came off in the process hitting me in my pelvic area and now I am having trouble urinating and I have bleeding. The air bags also burned through my clothes and onto my skin. I suffered first degree burns to my arm, stomach and thigh.”
NHTSA complaint #11277528, filed 2019-11, 60,000 miles2018: “This car doesn't have a way for drivers to put the gear in neutral if the electrical panel and the engine is dead. I was in the flooded area in the middle of the road and felt scared when big trucks passed me side by side. Even the sheriff who helped me couldn't find it in the owners manual. I have a 12 months old grandson and I don't feel safe driving this car.”
NHTSA complaint #11233062, filed 2019-07, 9,000 milesOther BMW models
3,165 complaintsBMW 328I
2,576 complaintsBMW X3
2,016 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology